Pune, September 15: District Collector Jitendra Dudi has directed officials to ensure effective implementation of the development plan for the Bhimashankar Temple and its surrounding area and to accelerate the ongoing works. He said the development would focus on balancing the systematic rehabilitation of local residents with facilities for devotees and conservation of the environment.
A review meeting on the development plan for the Bhimashankar Temple and surrounding area was held at the District Collector’s Office on Monday. MLA Babaji Kale and District Planning Officer Kiran Indalkar were present.
Under the development plan, local residents will be provided plots based on the area of their existing land holdings. They will also be provided fully equipped houses in 1-BHK, 2-BHK and 3-BHK configurations.
The new village will have a gram panchayat office, primary health centre, anganwadi, school, multipurpose hall, community centre, food centre, parking facilities, public toilets, water supply, street lighting, sewage management and solid waste management facilities, Collector Dudi said.
A corridor connecting the village with the temple complex will also be developed. Facilities such as a prasad hall, holding area, seating arrangements and public toilets will be created for devotees. After darshan, devotees will be able to reach the village through a dedicated staircase route, which is expected to provide a boost to local businesses and livelihoods.
The meeting also discussed cleaning and fencing the river and kund areas and providing safe bathing facilities for devotees. Collector Dudi directed officials to take suggestions and cooperation from local residents and complete the works within the stipulated timeframe.
The administration has set a target of accelerating the development works from October, after the monsoon, and completing the project by June 2027.
Collector Dudi also appealed to local residents to cooperate in preventing encroachments and unauthorised construction in the area after completion of the development works.
A video presentation of the Bhimashankar Temple and surrounding area development plan was shown during the meeting. Local residents were given detailed information about how the village and surrounding area are expected to look after completion of the project.
Trustees of the Bhimashankar Temple, local residents and officials from various departments attended the meeting.
